Valve assembly and apparatus

Abstract

A valve assemblage for controlling flow of fluid between a first fluid system and a second fluid system. The first fluid system includes a first valve assembly adapted to mate and engage a second valve assembly on the second fluid system. The first valve assembly comprising a proboscis member having a channel having, an inlet end to receive fluid and an outlet end to deliver the received fluid to the first fluid system. A blocking member is provided which is movable relative to proboscis member from a first position closing the at least one entrance port end to a second position opening the at least one entrance port, and a first spring member normally biasing the blocking member to the position closing the at least one entrance port. A first annular sealing member positioned above the at least one entrance port and at least two spaced seal annular sealing members disposed below the at least one entrance port which provide a fluid tight seal between the proboscis member and the second valve assembly. The second valve assembly includes a body member, a fluid inlet port in the body to receive fluid from the second fluid system, a piston slidable within a body member from the first position closing the inlet port, to a second position opening the closed inlet port in a first spring member normally biasing the piston to the first position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A valve assemblage for controlling flow of fluid between a first fluid system and a second fluid system, said second fluid system containing a fluid to be dispensed to said first fluid system, the assemblage comprising: a first valve assembly comprising a proboscis member comprising a proboscis member having channel, an inlet end to receive fluid and an outlet end to deliver the received fluid to the first fluid system, the inlet end being positioned at a first end portion of a proboscis member and having at least one entrance port, a blocking member movable relative to proboscis member from the first position closing the at least one entrance port end to a second position opening the at least one entrance port, and a first spring member normally biasing the blocking member to the position closing the at least one entrance port, a first annular sealing member is provided above said at least one entrance port and at least two spaced annular sealing members disposed below the at least one entrance port, second at least two seals being spaced apart a predetermined distance, said first and said at least two annular sealing members providing fluid tight seal between the proboscis member and the second valve assembly,   a second valve assembly adapted to engage said first valve assembly, said second valve assembly comprising a body member, a fluid inlet port in the body to receive fluid from the second fluid system, a piston slidable within a body member from the first position closing the inlet port to a second position opening the closed inlet port, and a second spring member normally biasing the piston to the first position;   wherein when the first and second valve assemblies are urged toward each other, the body member of the second valve assembly engages and moves the blocking member there by opening the inlet end of the proboscis member, and the proboscis member displaces the piston into the position opening the entrance port, the opened entrance port then being in fluid communication with the opened inlet end, thereby forming an open fluid flow channel between the first system and the second system; and   wherein when the first and second valve assemblies are moved away from each other, the body member is withdrawn from the proboscis member, the blocking member moves to close the inlet end, and the proboscis member disengages from the piston to allow the piston to slide to the position closing the entrance port, thereby preventing flow of fluid between the first and second systems.   
     
     
       2. The valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein a seal cap is provided over the inlet end, said first annular sealing member above said entrance port and said at least two annular sealing members below the entrance port are integrally formed as a part of said sealing cap. 
     
     
       3. The valve assembly according to claim 2 wherein said sealing cap is made of a low density polyethylene. 
     
     
       4. The valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said at least two annular sealing members below the entrance port comprises an O-ring. 
     
     
       5. A photofinishing apparatus having a first fluid system having a first valve assembly adapted to engage a second valve assembly on a container of a second fluid system, said container having a fluid therein to be transferred from said second fluid system to said first fluid system, said first valve assembly comprising a proboscis member having a channel, an inlet end having an entrance port to receive said fluid and an outlet end to deliver the received fluid to the first fluid system, the inlet end being positioned at a first end portion of the proboscis member, a blocking member movable relative to the proboscis member from a first position closing the entrance port to a second position opening the entrance port, and a first spring member normally biasing the blocking member to the position closing the inlet end, a first annular sealing member is provided above said at least one entrance port and at least two spaced annular sealing members disposed below the at least one entrance port, said at least two seals being spaced apart a predetermined distance, said first and said at least two annular sealing members providing fluid tight seal between the proboscis member and the second valve assembly; said second valve assembly comprising a body member, a fluid inlet port in the body to receive fluid from the second fluid system, a piston slidable within a body member from the first position closing the inlet port, to a second position opening the closed inlet port, and a second spring member normally biasing the piston to the first position;   wherein when the first and second valve assemblies are urged toward each other for mating, the body member of the second valve assembly engages and moves the blocking member thereby opening the entrance port of the proboscis member, and the proboscis member displaces the piston into the position opening the inlet port, the opened inlet port then being in fluid communication with the entrance port, thereby forming an open fluid flow channel between the first fluid system and the second fluid system; and   wherein when the first and second valve assemblies are urged away from a mating relationship, the body member is withdrawn from the proboscis member, the blocking member moves to close the entrance port end, and the proboscis member disengages from the piston to allow the piston to slide to the position closing the inlet port, thereby preventing flow of fluid between the first and second fluid systems.   
     
     
       6. The photofinishing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a seal cap is provided over the inlet end, said first annular sealing member above said entrance port and said at least two annular sealing members below the entrance port are integrally formed as a part of said sealing cap. 
     
     
       7. The photofinishing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said sealing cap is made of a low density polyethylene. 
     
     
       8. The photofinishing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein each of said at least two annular sealing members below the entrance port comprises an O-ring. 
     
     
       9. A photofinishing apparatus having a first fluid system having a first valve assembly adapted to engage a second valve assembly on a container of a second fluid system, said container having a fluid therein to be transferred from said second fluid system to said first fluid system, said first valve assembly comprising a proboscis member having a channel, an inlet end having an entrance port to receive said fluid and an outlet end to deliver the received fluid to the first fluid system, the inlet end being positioned at a first end portion of the proboscis member, a blocking member movable relative to the proboscis member from a first position closing the entrance port to a second position opening the entrance port, and a first spring member normally biasing the blocking member to the position closing the inlet end, a first annular sealing member is provided above said at least one entrance port and at least two spaced annular sealing members disposed below the at least one entrance port, said at least two seals being spaced apart a predetermined distance, said first and said at least two annular sealing members providing fluid tight seal between the proboscis member and the second valve assembly; wherein when the first and second valve assemblies are urged toward each other for mating, fluid communication is formed so that the fluid will flow from said second fluid system to said first fluid system; and   wherein when the first and second valve assemblies are urged away from a mating relationship, the blocking member moves to close the entrance port end, and the proboscis member disengages from the second valve assembly thereby preventing flow of fluid between the first and second fluid systems.   
     
     
       10. The photofinishing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a seal cap is provided over the inlet end, said first annular sealing member above said entrance port and said at least two annular sealing members below the entrance port are integrally formed as a part of said sealing cap. 
     
     
       11. The photofinishing apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said sealing cap is made of a low density polyethylene. 
     
     
       12. The photofinishing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein each of said at least two annular sealing members below the entrance port comprises an O-ring.